Somapura Mahavihara

The Somapura Mahavihara is among the Buddhist remainders of Vihara most famous of the world. Located at Naogaon (Bangladesh), it is on the Liste of the world heritage of UNESCO since 1985; this organization of the the United Nations since gave 5,6 million dollars to the safeguarding of the place.

Structure

The structure, in the form of square, consists of 177 cells, used by the Moine S for to contemplate, and of a Stûpa in the center. One also finds several others stûpas in the complex, as well as sanctuaries of varied sizes, terra cotta plates, stone sculptures, inscriptions and engravings, currency, ceramics, etc

The site shelters the remainders of a vast Buddhist monastery, Somapura Mahavihara , recovering 27 ha. It was an important intellectual center not only for the Buddhists, but also the Jaïns and the Hindous.

History

Excavations one discovered Sceau X carrying the inscription Shri-Somapure-Shri-Dharmapaladeva-Mahavihariyarya-bhiksu-sangghasya , which identifies the site as having been built by second king Pala, Dharmapala (circa 781 - 821). Sources Tibetans, whose translations of the Dharmakayavidhi and Madhyamaka Ratnapradipa , as well as the history of Taranatha and the Pag-Sam-Jon-Zang , mention that it is the successor of Dharmapala, Devapala (circa 810 - 850) which made it build after its conquest of Varendra

Random links: